Riley was adopted from a shelter in Big Bear, California, at the age of ten weeks after his previous family could no longer care for him. Riley’s new mom had been looking for a golden retriever to adopt for a long time after losing her last dog, and she was overjoyed when he finally joined her family. Riley was always the kindest puppy and loved making friends with everyone he met, but his mother had no idea how popular he would become.
Riley enjoys standing on a small box his mother built for him outside and hanging his paws over the wall that encloses his family’s patio so he can observe his L.A. neighborhood and watch people and vehicles go by. His fondness for peering over the edge of the wall has developed in recent years, and he now spends most of his time there, much to the delight of everyone who happens to pass by.
Riley’s mother, Wendy Walden, told The Dodo, “It was like paparazzi.” “People got out of their cars to video him and snap selfies.” He ate up all of the filmings. He was immediately spotted because they used to film ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ right next door. I believe he received selfies from the majority of the cast, including Rachel Bloom.”
People adore not only taking pictures of Riley as they walk by, but they also love greeting him, hugging him, and posing for lovely selfies. Riley’s mother is continually searching the internet for images of Riley with people she has never met! Nobody is a stranger to Riley; they’re just friends he hasn’t met yet. “When you try to go, he pulls your arm in tighter and won’t let go,” Walden explained.
Riley will lightly drop his ball on the ground below the wall to invite others to come over and play with him if he spots someone passing by but isn’t sure if they’ll come over to say hello. “Nearly 100 percent of the time, dropping the ball works,” Walden said. “He misses his mark now and then but we always find the ball on the wall because someone picked it up.”
Riley is well-known on the street, and he is adored by all. He’s a local celebrity, and the employees at his neighborhood Starbucks know and love him, putting his Puppuccino in a bag for him so he can carry it home by himself. Riley’s family is overjoyed that everyone else adores Riley as much as they do, and they enjoy hearing and seeing all the stories about how Riley brightened people’s days. Riley is an exceptionally sociable, social dog who enjoys giving hugs, walking on his leash, posing for photos, and leaning over his wall to brighten the days of everyone who passes by.